2021-2022 Offseason Discussion/Signings/Trades/Rumors

[Slateman]

Mlbtr article about andrew Vaughn in Chicago

Bell for kimbrel and Vaughn?

[Elvir Ovcina]

Baseball America has him above Lara, Henry, Rutledge, Carrillo, and Cruz in our system.  Look at his stats from June on this past year.  Factor in that he missed 2 years due to the no minor league season and injuries, and he looks promising to at least be a major league back up type guy

He's a bat-only prospect who had one very hot month and one good month after the guys who start the season and kill the level get promoted.  He also had 3 crap ones, including September.  He's a switch-hitter who can't hit his weight from the right side. 

The only interesting thing about him is that he's still only 22.  If they hadn't given him a ton of money, nobody would have heard of him.  They gave him a ton of money because he looked like he might be a switch-hitting middle infielder.  Instead he looks like a one-sided corner outfielder. 

That's fine, but that dude doesn't even exist on the prospect radar at 22 unless he's OPSing .800 in A+ over a full season.  Unfortunately, Antuna's now in a coffin corner with his options years, so he needs to go to AA at least.

[imref]

Dougherty shares some coaching news:

Coco Crisp will be the new outfield/base-running coordinator and Bill Mueller the new quality control coordinator (a restored role for 2022).

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Dougherty shares some coaching news:

going for the Red Sox, with a side of breakfast cereal.

[Kevrock]

WELCOME BACK Joel Hanrahahahaha

[Slateman]

https://twitter.com/chriscotillo/status/1484008559289454596?s=21

Rusney Castillo has signed a minor-league deal with the Nationals, according to the team's transaction log.

Well ... we even like washed up prospects

[zimm_da_kid]

https://twitter.com/chriscotillo/status/1484008559289454596?s=21
Well ... we even like washed up prospects

Hilarious that he already has $70 mil in the bank.  I think he got the most guaranteed money of any international ever.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://twitter.com/chriscotillo/status/1484008559289454596?s=21
Well ... we even like washed up prospects

always liked the guy, but he got himself in a position where he was too expensive to roster. Because he had been waived off the 40 man early on after his 1st or 2nd call up, his salary did not count against the CBT.  There were times he was the best OF in the Red Sox minors but couldn't get a call up.  He did end up with Mookie and JBJ ahead of him which limited his opportunities.  He's just so old now, but he maybe could give us a Yadi year.

[aspenbubba]

I'm still in the camp of re-signing Schwarber to play LF. I would accept a 3 yr contract. If Bell tanks and / or Rizzo gets an offer he can't refuse Schwarber can always move to 1B. He isn't blocking anyone in our system and if he was good enough to sign in '21 he is good enough to sign for '22. He can make the team acceptable and put fans in the seats during a re-build.

And while you're at it sign Harrison for 3B. Better option than Franco and Dee Gordon. Let Kiebust re-invent himself in Rochester with no pressure in being called up or anxiety wondering what will happen to him.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Schwarber gets a bigger market if the NL adopts the DH.  I think his bounce back raised his price substantially. 

[aspenbubba]

Schwarber gets a bigger market if the NL adopts the DH.  I think his bounce back raised his price substantially. 

This isn't an argument with you but his 2020 was horrible and 2019 and back wasn't stellar. I thought Rizzo over paid him with the 11 M option for '22. But that is why Rizzo is GM and I'm still working .

I still want Harrison.

[imref]

Huge team opening: https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/02/01/hot-job-alert-the-nats-need-a-racing-president/

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Huge team opening: https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/02/01/hot-job-alert-the-nats-need-a-racing-president/

can you imagine that on your resume?

[imref]

can you imagine that on your resume?

Experience:
- President, Washington Nationals

[imref]

Nats sign Taylor Gushue to a minor league deal

[Elvir Ovcina]

Nats sign Taylor Gushue to a minor league deal

I know it's a minor league contract (and I was surprised to see Gushue had actually played in the majors), but, um, does this team need more catchers?

[Slateman]

I know it's a minor league contract (and I was surprised to see Gushue had actually played in the majors), but, um, does this team need more catchers?

They lost Raudy Read. Catchers have the highest position player attrition rate

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Huge team opening: https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/02/01/hot-job-alert-the-nats-need-a-racing-president/

In a shocking move, political comments on this were moved to politics.

[Elvir Ovcina]

They lost Raudy Read. Catchers have the highest position player attrition rate

Didn't realize Read was gone.  Thanks.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Didn't realize Read was gone.  Thanks.

signed last week with somebody, I forget

[imref]

signed last week with somebody, I forget

White Sox.

[Smithian]

I know it's a minor league contract (and I was surprised to see Gushue had actually played in the majors), but, um, does this team need more catchers?

Actually, yes. It felt a couple years ago backstop was a deep position, but guys just didn't develop.

They let once promising prospect Jakson Reetz go. They left Israel Pineda unprotected in Rule 5. Riley Adams is our best power prospect, so if things work out he may be off C. Millas isn't going to be ready this season. I thought Barrera looked really solid but I think Nationals look at him as a backup.

And with DH coming and both Ruiz and Adams being candidates to moonlight at DH, they'll carry three catchers. And once you have Adams, Ruiz, and Barrera in DC, the system is pretty barren at backstop.

[Mattionals]

Actually, yes. It felt a couple years ago backstop was a deep position, but guys just didn't develop.

They let once promising prospect Jakson Reetz go. They left Israel Pineda unprotected in Rule 5. Riley Adams is our best power prospect, so if things work out he may be off C. Millas isn't going to be ready this season. I thought Barrera looked really solid but I think Nationals look at him as a backup.

And with DH coming and both Ruiz and Adams being candidates to moonlight at DH, they'll carry three catchers. And once you have Adams, Ruiz, and Barrera in DC, the system is pretty barren at backstop.

I still think that there could be a round robin at three different positions with Ruiz, Adams, and Barrera. C, 1B, and DH. After this season, assume both Bell and Zim are no longer Nats, you have three spots to cycle three guys. Not sure if that is the best way to do it, but it could work.

[Smithian]

I still think that there could be a round robin at three different positions with Ruiz, Adams, and Barrera. C, 1B, and DH. After this season, assume both Bell and Zim are no longer Nats, you have three spots to cycle three guys. Not sure if that is the best way to do it, but it could work.

I wish they'd do that this year. I love Zim but we've done 19 ovations and we aren't winning this year. Give Ruiz and Adams everyday burn and see if they're solid players at DH/1B or if they're just plus bat catchers who you don't mind in the lineup on off days.

I just want a commitment to the rebuild in 2022. We're all high on Ruiz. But throw guys like Luis Garcia and Riley Adams in the deep end, play them as much as possible, and see if they're players you can give 400 ABs in 2023 and have a chance at being a competitive team.

[Slateman]

Uh, Garcia can go back to Triple A. He has options. He still needs development at the plate. And we need to see if he can play shortstop.